My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Next added insulation to the attic and to the crawl space.....August 11, 2021.....
And was able to close in that new side wall with a sliding glass door.....
And after the electricity was in, started on the drywall.....probably the worst job of the entire cabin build.....August 12, 2021.....
Once the drywall was complete, I started adding reclaimed wood to the walls.....August 25, 2021.....
I installed overhead fans in the bedroom and the great room.....August 27, 2021.....
Once the first reclaimed wood wall was installed, I hired a guy to install the propane stove.....
The bathroom tile and all the flooring was installed that summer by Luis.....my Mexican friend. I didn't know him before the start of this project.....now we've been friends for four years. I spoke with him just yesterday and it pains me to hear him say that he now lives everyday in fear as he and his wife are both here on green cards (for over 20 years). He has 2 children born in America.....everyday now they fear being deported.....September 8, 2021.....
His work is of the highest quality.....he's a stickler for perfection.....
Luis also installed my kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanity.....
And was able to close in that new side wall with a sliding glass door.....
And after the electricity was in, started on the drywall.....probably the worst job of the entire cabin build.....August 12, 2021.....
Once the drywall was complete, I started adding reclaimed wood to the walls.....August 25, 2021.....
I installed overhead fans in the bedroom and the great room.....August 27, 2021.....
Once the first reclaimed wood wall was installed, I hired a guy to install the propane stove.....
The bathroom tile and all the flooring was installed that summer by Luis.....my Mexican friend. I didn't know him before the start of this project.....now we've been friends for four years. I spoke with him just yesterday and it pains me to hear him say that he now lives everyday in fear as he and his wife are both here on green cards (for over 20 years). He has 2 children born in America.....everyday now they fear being deported.....September 8, 2021.....
His work is of the highest quality.....he's a stickler for perfection.....
Luis also installed my kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanity.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Luis also helped me to install the washer / dryer units.....
Finally on September 12, 2021 I decided to move some of my furniture into the cabin.....
I didn't actually own much furniture (divorce can do that to a guy).....so I decided to make some of my own.....the base for a small desk.....that's all I need.....
And a sofa table.....
Lots of bookshelves cause I got lots of books.....
And several small end tables.....
I've steady stayed at adding reclaimed wood to the cabin walls.....probably 95 % of the cabin interior walls looks like this.....
The exterior finished up pretty nice.....
Finally on September 12, 2021 I decided to move some of my furniture into the cabin.....
I didn't actually own much furniture (divorce can do that to a guy).....so I decided to make some of my own.....the base for a small desk.....that's all I need.....
And a sofa table.....
Lots of bookshelves cause I got lots of books.....
And several small end tables.....
I've steady stayed at adding reclaimed wood to the cabin walls.....probably 95 % of the cabin interior walls looks like this.....
The exterior finished up pretty nice.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
The inside of the barn went from this.....
.....to this.....by the way, my friend Luis came over one day to help me build that extraordinary (in my opinion) workbench.....
I've done a considerable amount of landscaping too.....lots of rock gardens and lots of perrinials planted.....
I collected stones from the National Forest and built myself a stone walkway.....with a little help from my friends.....
I've overlooked so many aspects of this project.....kitchen ? plumbing ? heating ? But honestly I'm burned out now with these posts. Just know that we're happy in our little cabin.....it's really all that we need.....
The end.....
.....to this.....by the way, my friend Luis came over one day to help me build that extraordinary (in my opinion) workbench.....
I've done a considerable amount of landscaping too.....lots of rock gardens and lots of perrinials planted.....
I collected stones from the National Forest and built myself a stone walkway.....with a little help from my friends.....
I've overlooked so many aspects of this project.....kitchen ? plumbing ? heating ? But honestly I'm burned out now with these posts. Just know that we're happy in our little cabin.....it's really all that we need.....
The end.....
AlwaysRoaming
Member
Thank you Jerry. You have built an amazing spot. Enjoy in good health.
TheDeliverator
New member
I remember (years ago now, damn), when you first posted this photo...
I think of it fondly when I make a trek to a Lowes.
I'll take this little space to thank you again for taking the time to share your journey. I have bookmarked many of your posts for locations I hope to visit one day. When I reach those places I will surely think fondly of you once again.
TripLeader
Explorer
Great stuff as always! I haven't done a good job of keeping up over the last several months, but now I'm caught up.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
AlwaysRoaming.....thank you. It's especially special on a morning like we're having today. Outside it's 6 degrees, everything is covered in a thick frost, birds are at the feeders, the sky is so blue.....uninterrupted with clouds.....I've got a hot mug of coffee, a good book, and a good fire to sit by as well.....and two Golden Retrievers snoring away on the old, weathered leather couch.....
Foy.....for sure.....my pleasure (although by the last post I was definitely thinking why did I start this).....
TheDeliverator.....thanks. It's such an incredible world.....so much to see.....
TripLeader.....thanks.....well, unfortunately we haven't experienced near as much adventure as we would have wished.....so I guess you could say that you didn't miss much but welcome back.....
Arjan.....I may start construction of a tiny home on the property this summer. I've been accumulating reclaimed lumber this winter and my barn is stacked high. I just love to stay busy.....
And then it was October.....2025.....we didn't get out near as much as I would have liked to (that seems to be more of a norm than an anomaly these days). We did make it to the Gallatin National Forest for a day hike with hopes of viewing the fall colors.....
I like this spot quite a bit since it's seldom visited.....some of you may recognize it as I often come here to collect rocks.....
A bit of snow still lingered from an earlier storm but for the most part, there was little snow.....and little fall foliage. I guess that I'd never paid much attention in the past, but this area is mostly covered in Evergreens.....just a few deciduous trees dotted the landscape here and there.....
There's never a bad day when hanging out in the National Forest so the lack of fall foliage wasn't significant and we still hiked about 8 miles (roundtrip) on that cool autumn day.....
Foy.....for sure.....my pleasure (although by the last post I was definitely thinking why did I start this).....
TheDeliverator.....thanks. It's such an incredible world.....so much to see.....
TripLeader.....thanks.....well, unfortunately we haven't experienced near as much adventure as we would have wished.....so I guess you could say that you didn't miss much but welcome back.....
Arjan.....I may start construction of a tiny home on the property this summer. I've been accumulating reclaimed lumber this winter and my barn is stacked high. I just love to stay busy.....
And then it was October.....2025.....we didn't get out near as much as I would have liked to (that seems to be more of a norm than an anomaly these days). We did make it to the Gallatin National Forest for a day hike with hopes of viewing the fall colors.....
I like this spot quite a bit since it's seldom visited.....some of you may recognize it as I often come here to collect rocks.....
A bit of snow still lingered from an earlier storm but for the most part, there was little snow.....and little fall foliage. I guess that I'd never paid much attention in the past, but this area is mostly covered in Evergreens.....just a few deciduous trees dotted the landscape here and there.....
There's never a bad day when hanging out in the National Forest so the lack of fall foliage wasn't significant and we still hiked about 8 miles (roundtrip) on that cool autumn day.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
A week later the dogs, my friend, and I, made a trip down Interstate 90 toMissoula, Montana.....
This was yet another short trip.....only 3 days away from the cabin. We spent the first night camped along the shoreline of the Clark Fork.....again, many of you might recognize this spot as I seem to always overnight here when I'm traveling west along the interstate.....
We arrived at our campsite plenty early so it was late afternoon when we walked along Gold Creek Road.....
We crossed the river, then crossed the railroad tracks, then walked through the town of Gold Creek, Montana.....
On the southside of town we stopped at the old church just to take a few photographs.....
Gosh.....I no longer remember how far we walked that afternoon along Gold Creek Road but I do recall that we walked a long ways.....several hours for sure along the old paved road. There was little traffic on that road and the one thing that I distinctly remember.....every car that passed us raised a hand to wave. This I think is so common in Montana.....probably most common in most rural communities.....where society has yet to fall into chaos.....
The following morning we were on the road early.....I had an appointment at the hospital.....to get that heart valve checked out.....
I barely remember anymore.....visiting the Farmer's Market.....I guess that just shows the value of a photograph.....
This was yet another short trip.....only 3 days away from the cabin. We spent the first night camped along the shoreline of the Clark Fork.....again, many of you might recognize this spot as I seem to always overnight here when I'm traveling west along the interstate.....
We arrived at our campsite plenty early so it was late afternoon when we walked along Gold Creek Road.....
We crossed the river, then crossed the railroad tracks, then walked through the town of Gold Creek, Montana.....
On the southside of town we stopped at the old church just to take a few photographs.....
Gosh.....I no longer remember how far we walked that afternoon along Gold Creek Road but I do recall that we walked a long ways.....several hours for sure along the old paved road. There was little traffic on that road and the one thing that I distinctly remember.....every car that passed us raised a hand to wave. This I think is so common in Montana.....probably most common in most rural communities.....where society has yet to fall into chaos.....
The following morning we were on the road early.....I had an appointment at the hospital.....to get that heart valve checked out.....
I barely remember anymore.....visiting the Farmer's Market.....I guess that just shows the value of a photograph.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
After wandering around town for a bit we backtracked and headed east on the interstate.....headed for home. We took an indirect route back and when we got to Drummond, Montana we left the interstate behind and drove south along Highway 1.....
The autumn colors were sensational.....especially as we drove along the Clark Fork. The Quaking Aspen along this pond mirrored the Quaking Aspen that I'd planted in my own yard.....
We drove south.....we passed through Hall, Montana.....a town so small that you might miss it with the blink of an eye.....
When we got to the turn off for Phillipsburg, Montana.....we took it. Just a few miles up that road lies the little touristy town.....
We didn't even bother to get out of the truck that day.....it was so cold that afternoon and I simply wanted to show my friend what Phillipsburg, Montana looked like.....
Then we continued south on Highway 1.....passed by a cool little log cabin nearGeorgetown Lake.....
The highway arched to the east and we began the climb into the mountains.....
It was a beautiful drive through the most beautiful mountains.....we all wanted to hike but it was now late in the day.....in addition, it was really, really cold.....
We spent that night camped in the asphalt lot next to the natural springs.....
The well water at my cabin is superb.....everyone says it. But the water here.....that comes out of that spring.....well, it's far better than my cabin water.....
The next morning we set out on a short hike. Snow flurries filled the air and it was just so crisp and cold out that we both looked at each other and said....."let's go home".....and we did.....
The autumn colors were sensational.....especially as we drove along the Clark Fork. The Quaking Aspen along this pond mirrored the Quaking Aspen that I'd planted in my own yard.....
We drove south.....we passed through Hall, Montana.....a town so small that you might miss it with the blink of an eye.....
When we got to the turn off for Phillipsburg, Montana.....we took it. Just a few miles up that road lies the little touristy town.....
We didn't even bother to get out of the truck that day.....it was so cold that afternoon and I simply wanted to show my friend what Phillipsburg, Montana looked like.....
Then we continued south on Highway 1.....passed by a cool little log cabin nearGeorgetown Lake.....
The highway arched to the east and we began the climb into the mountains.....
It was a beautiful drive through the most beautiful mountains.....we all wanted to hike but it was now late in the day.....in addition, it was really, really cold.....
We spent that night camped in the asphalt lot next to the natural springs.....
The well water at my cabin is superb.....everyone says it. But the water here.....that comes out of that spring.....well, it's far better than my cabin water.....
The next morning we set out on a short hike. Snow flurries filled the air and it was just so crisp and cold out that we both looked at each other and said....."let's go home".....and we did.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Then came November.....2025. Well, that month we just stayed home so there's very little to write about. The plan at this point in our lives was to go south in December and spend 3 or 4 months on the road so I really wanted to just hang out at the cabin and relax before hitting the road.....
The demolition of my neighborhood continued and I watched as the heavy equipment arrived once again.....another neighbors' house (which was sold in July) was demolished and hauled to the county landfill.....
Across the street another neighbor sold out and prior to his departure he said that I could take whatever he left behind. The first thing I grabbed from his junk pile was this old tractor.....
I called a friend to ask for help and we towed it to my property.....I absolutely love it.....perfect yard art.....a hoarder in the making.....
Then I decided to make a little money.....that seems to be the only kind of money that I make anymore.....
I sold $500 worth of scrap metal that I scrounged from his property.....I just love being busy and being outside.....
A friend stopped by and dropped off this huge stuffed polar bear for my dogs.....it didn't last two days.....
We stayed busy taking long walks every day.....typically 3 or 4 miles.....one in the morning.....and one at night.....
We enjoyed viewing another full moon.....and were thankful for the opportunity.....
It got cold.....it snowed.....then it got warm again.....actually too warm for the month of November in southwest Montana.....
Well.....that's about it for November.....2025. Like I said earlier.....not much to write about.....
The demolition of my neighborhood continued and I watched as the heavy equipment arrived once again.....another neighbors' house (which was sold in July) was demolished and hauled to the county landfill.....
Across the street another neighbor sold out and prior to his departure he said that I could take whatever he left behind. The first thing I grabbed from his junk pile was this old tractor.....
I called a friend to ask for help and we towed it to my property.....I absolutely love it.....perfect yard art.....a hoarder in the making.....
Then I decided to make a little money.....that seems to be the only kind of money that I make anymore.....
I sold $500 worth of scrap metal that I scrounged from his property.....I just love being busy and being outside.....
A friend stopped by and dropped off this huge stuffed polar bear for my dogs.....it didn't last two days.....
We stayed busy taking long walks every day.....typically 3 or 4 miles.....one in the morning.....and one at night.....
We enjoyed viewing another full moon.....and were thankful for the opportunity.....
It got cold.....it snowed.....then it got warm again.....actually too warm for the month of November in southwest Montana.....
Well.....that's about it for November.....2025. Like I said earlier.....not much to write about.....
